How to create a dual-boot setup on Windows 11

Here’s everything you need to know to create a dual-boot setup on Windows 11.

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OnWindows 11, you can create a dual-boot setup to run two or more operating systems independently. This solution comes in handy to run older releases (such asWindows 10, 8.1, or 7), allowing you to use applications that are incompatible with the current version. You can install previews of newer versions of Windows 11 to test new features without affecting your existing installation. Or you can install operating systems from other platforms, such as Linux.

Although you can also usevirtualization, a dual-boot system will have full access to the hardware for better performance and experience.

In the ideal scenario, you could use another computer to run a different operating system. However, a dual-boot setup is a viable solution to run Windows 11 alongside Insider preview builds for the Dev, Beta, Release Preview Channels, or another version.

Thisguidewill walk you through the steps to configure a dual-boot system on Windows 11.

How to dual-boot on Windows 11

The process of setting up a dual-boot system involves a few steps to make sure that everything goes smoothly and configures correctly. The first thing you need to do is to create a backup in case something happens and you need to roll back. Then you need to prepare the system and create a USB bootable media. Then you have to go through the Windows installation process and configure the boot manager.

Create temporary backup

The backup is not a requirement, but it’s a good idea since you will modify the current installation.

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To create a temporary backup of Windows 11, use these steps:

Once you complete the steps, a backup of the current state of the computer will be created.

You can also refer tothese instructionsif you need to recover your computer from backup.

Create installation media

You can create a dual-boot setup with virtually any operating system (excluding macOS), such as a previous version of Windows or any Linux distribution. In this guide, we’re choosing to set up a second installation of Windows 11 available through the Dev Channel, which allows you to test upcoming features without compromising your current installation and files.

Download ISO file

To download the latest preview of Windows 11, use these steps:

After you complete the steps, you can proceed to create the installation media with Rufus.

Create bootable media

To create a bootable media of Windows 11, connect a USB flash drive with at least 8GB of storage, and use these steps:

Once you complete the steps, the USB installation media will be created.

Shrink partition for new setup

It’s impossible to set up a dual-boot system in the same partition on the current installation of Windows. As a result, you must shrink the existing partition to create unallocated space to configure the installation. However, if you have a second hard drive, you can keep the partition layout the same and use the other drive for the installation.

To shrink the system partition on Windows 11, use these steps:

After you complete the steps, the partition of the current setup will be reduced by the number of megabytes you specified.

Change boot order

Before installing the Windows 11 Insider Preview build on your computer using a dual-boot setup, you must make sure you can boot from the USB flash drive.

To change the boot order on Windows 11, use these steps:

Once you complete the steps, the computer should be able to start from the Windows 11 USB boot media.

If you plan to install an operating system other than Windows, you may need todisable fast startupandBitLocker(if applicable). Otherwise, you may run into issues.

Clean install of Windows 11

To create a dual-boot system with another Windows installation, use these steps:

Once you complete the steps, the new setup of Windows will be completed.

Activate new installation

After the installation, the setup will automatically activate if you provide a product key during the installation. Otherwise, you will need to activate manually.

To check and activate Windows 11, use these steps:

After you complete the steps, the new installation will activate automatically.

Windows Insider Program enrollment

If you use a publicly available ISO file with the preview of Windows, the device will enroll in the Insider program automatically. Otherwise, you will need to enroll manually.

To enroll in the Windows Insider Program, use these steps:

Once you complete the steps, when a new preview is available in the Dev Channel, it will download and install automatically.

You can always check manually onSettings>Windows Updateand click theCheck for updatesbutton.

Customize boot manager

The boot manager will configure automatically during the second installation process. However, you can always customize the settings. For example, you can change the name of the option during startup, so they are clear to identify. You can select which of the installation is the default, and you can change the default timeout, so you don’t have to wait half a minute to auto-select the option to start the operating system.

Change setup name

To change the installation name in the boot manager, use these steps:

For example, this command sets the name to “Insider”:bcdedit /set{current}description “Windows 11”

After you complete the steps, the boot manager will list the operating systems with the names you specified.

If you’re logged on in the original installation, the identifier will read"default"for the second installation and"current"for the first setup. If you’re logged on in the second installation, the identifier will read"current"for the second installation and a long unique GUID value for the first installation. If you want to make things less confusing, it’s best to perform the changes from the original setup.

Change default boot

To specify which installation the boot manager will start if you don’t choose an option, use these steps:

For example, this command sets the default to the original installation:bcdedit /default {current}

Once you complete the steps, the new default will be added to the list.

Change timeout setting

To change the amount of time the boot manager waits before starting the default operating system, use these steps:

In the command, change"5"to the number of seconds you want to use.

After you complete the steps, if you don’t choose an installation within five seconds, the boot manager will start the default option automatically.

More resources

For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10 and Windows 11, visit the following resources:

Mauro Huculak has been a Windows How-To Expert contributor for WindowsCentral.com for nearly a decade and has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides. He also has an IT background and has achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft, Cisco, VMware, and CompTIA. He has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years.